Ricoh warns admin overload hits retention

Ricoh says administrative overload is becoming a retention risk across European workplaces, with new research showing that many employees feel too much of their week is being consumed by work outside their core role.

The company’s study found 48% of European office workers surveyed are considering a new role within the next 12 months. Only 43% said they spend most of their working day on tasks that deliver direct value, while 26% said most of their time is being absorbed by administrative work outside their main responsibilities. On average, respondents said they lose 15 hours a week to those demands.

The strain is also affecting how teams work together. Nearly one in five workers, or 18%, said admin pressure now creates conflict or tension within their team. Another 14% said they feel resentful towards colleagues with lighter admin loads, while only 23% believe those tasks are distributed equally. Ricoh also found 16% reporting generational tension, with younger colleagues perceived as resisting administrative work.

The effect on morale is equally clear. Almost a quarter, or 23%, said admin limits their productivity, while 19% said it leaves them less motivated or disengaged. The same proportion said it also stifles creativity. For 14%, the burden has become serious enough that they have considered leaving their organisation because of admin alone.

Michael Vavakis, Chief People Officer at Ricoh Europe, said: “When people feel that large parts of their week are absorbed by repetitive administrative tasks, it affects how sustainable their role feels. Over time, that can chip away at motivation, creativity, and the sense that their time is being spent on work that truly matters. It’s not surprising that for some employees, that pressure becomes a factor in deciding whether to stay put or jump ship.

“What makes this more complex is the assumption many organisations have that new processes and technology have eased the burden. If employees are still experiencing issues daily, that gap in perception can quietly and quickly undermine trust. Admin overload isn’t simply an efficiency issue, but a signal of how supported people feel today at work.”

The research also points to a management gap. Only 18% of those surveyed said they feel their employer cares about admin overload, while 25% said managers underestimate the time it takes. At the same time, 31% said they are anxious about AI and automation replacing them, suggesting that poorly explained technology rollouts may deepen frustration rather than reduce it.

Ricoh’s findings place admin pressure alongside wider concerns over workload, trust, and job security. In a labour market still shaped by shortages and skills competition, repetitive work is becoming harder for employers to dismiss as a background irritation.